Hanuman, spirit of victory, heroism, and determination, may be a tribal monkey god incorporated into the Hindu pantheon. He is now an immensely popular and beloved Hindu deity with numerous shrines and temples dedicated to him. There are different versions of his birth:

• His parents are the King and Queen of Monkeys.

• He is the son of Anjani, an Apsara, and Vayu the Wind.

Hanuman is the divine child in the form of a monkey. Since earliest childhood, he Demonstrated extraordinary powers: he is brilliant, powerful, and a trickster. Once when he was hungry, Hanuman jumped up to catch the sun because it looked like a mango. Hanuman cannot be harmed by weapons, fire, or water. He is the hero of the Ramayana, the one who engineers the rescue of Sita.

Reciting the hymn Hanuman Chalisa allegedly earns Hanuman’s blessings:

• Recite Hanuman Chalisa for forty mornings for blessings of health, wealth, success, happiness, wisdom, valor, and courage.

• Read Hanuman Chalisa 108 times and all obstacles are overcome. (English translations are available.)

Hanuman brings blessings of a clear, focused, unclouded mind. He removes obstacles from the paths of devotees. He protects against traffic accidents. His image is placed on mountainous or winding roads to provide safety for travelers. It may also be placed within the vehicle.

HANUMAN IS RENOWNED AS A CELIBATE ASCETIC AND FOR PROVIDING WOMEN WITH BLESSINGS OF FERTILITY.

ALSO KNOWN AS:

Anjaneya

ORIGIN:

India

FAVOURED PEOPLE:

Kickboxers; wrestlers; bachelors; women seeking to conceive

MANIFESTATION:

Hanuman is a monkey.

ICONOGRAPHY:

Hanuman is depicted in the guise of a crowned monkey or a crowned monkey’s head on a man’s body. His recognizable image appears on many amulets from Bali, India, Myanmar, and Thailand, created for various purposes but especially victory, fertility, protection, and prosperity.

ATTRIBUTE:

Mace

SACRED ANIMAL:

Monkeys in general but especially the Hanuman langur, also known as the common, gray and Entellus langur.

SACRED SITES:

There are many shrines and temples dedicated to Hanuman.

DAYS:

Tuesday, Saturday

OFFERINGS:

Traditionally butter or butter carvings; lamps fueled by clarified butter (ghee)

SEE ALSO:

• Anjani
• Sita

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses– Written by Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.